Chapter Fifty-Four: Ambush

"They have returned."

In the end, there was no fight. Watching the Revolutionary Army march into the barracks in orderly ranks, chanting slogans, Getiny’s expression was gloomy, his heart heavy.

Since entering this scenario, nothing had gone right for him. He’d missed the initial surprise attack, the anticipated opportunity never appeared, he failed to seize the leader’s head, lost countless general points fleeing the fire attack, and when he finally decided to collaborate with contractors from his own faction, he was betrayed.

Even when he set aside past grievances, stole Charles’ communication line, and relayed all intelligence to Wuzhou, it failed to spark a battle between the two sides.

Yes, the intelligence Lin Feier received this time was sent by him. He had not switched allegiances but used his “Confusion” skill to blend in, then lay low in the enemy camp, awaiting his chance.

Confusion: Temporarily disorients the target, implanting a self-defined identity, image, and behavior in their mind.

Success rate is indeterminate and unrelated to any attributes. You must figure out how to improve your chances in each scenario.

Getiny was well-versed in his innate skill. His habit of seldom interacting with others (since familiarity increases the failure rate), his gear and attributes (boosting mental and intellectual stats aided success), and his androgynous appearance (allowing him to switch gender in the target’s mind at crucial moments)—all were tailored to suit this ability.

He believed that relying on this versatile skill would bring him great achievements. Yet the string of failures in this scenario had shaken even his usually steadfast confidence.

It was as if this world opposed him at every turn, nothing ever went smoothly. What next? Continue feeding intelligence to Wuzhou? Stir conflict between the two sides, then seize an opportunity to profit? Was his original plan still worth pursuing?

It was.

Because the contractor on the Yellow Turban side—his approach was not that of a victor.

Victorious armies win first and then seek battle, defeated armies fight first and then seek victory. This Yellow Turban commander appeared powerful, winning battle after battle. But in truth, his foundation was unstable.

If he failed on the battlefield, he would lose everything. Then, killing him would yield the greatest spoils for Getiny.

Yes. One more try, the last try. If it still didn’t work, he would settle for completing tasks and winning, no more overthinking.

----

“Ah, the scent of guilt and remorse.”

Inside the carriage, upon seeing Charles, Wang Luo sniffed and spoke these words. “Seems you hold no grudge.”

“How could I?” Charles lowered his head, one hand behind his back, the other pressed to his chest. “Your suspicions were justified; all I can do is obey and cooperate.”

Wang Luo laughed, turning to Zhou Yingxiong beside him. “Lift the surveillance, restore contribution points. In short, everything returns to normal.”

Zhou Yingxiong still frowned, seemingly unconvinced by this decision. But ultimately, he lowered his head. “Understood.”

“Thank you for your generosity.” After they left together, Charles bowed once more to the departing carriage.

Throughout, Zhou Suyan watched silently from the side. Though she never spoke a word, when Charles bowed his head, a faint smile appeared at her lips, as if the bow was meant for her. Later, as she saw Charles bowing outside the window, she turned her face, smiling brightly.

The soldiers gradually returned to camp. When Wang Luo entered the main tent, Zhou Suyan and Zhou Yingxiong followed him in.

“You still think he’s a problem?” Wang Luo voiced his doubts before Zhou Yingxiong could speak.

“He might have realized the preparations we made in camp,” Zhou Yingxiong replied, looking weary. “He discovered the ambush, so he deliberately warned the enemy not to come.”

“What I smelled on him was mostly fear. Anyway, don’t overthink it.” Wang Luo patted his friend’s shoulder. “Wanting to ensure safety is never wrong, but there’s no need to waste energy on trivialities like this. We all have plenty of work—how are the contractors’ task completions lately?”

“Not bad.” Zhou Yingxiong briefly summarized the surrendered enemies’ progress.

Most former captives had surrendered, thanks to propaganda, persuasion, and the favorable treatment of early defectors.

Recruitment among the refugees continued, but numbers were low, and most were women and children, hard to convert into fighting force.

The work of teaching soldiers to read now had someone to handle it—a man named Rank and several of his aides. However, they seemed more inclined to teach women.

“If they refuse to surrender, make them recite. Let them memorize ‘On Contradiction,’ ‘A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire,’ ‘On Practice,’ and our ideology—then they can leave.”

“Tell them, if they won’t surrender or recite, they get no food.”

Refugee women were organized into a separate battalion, living with their children. Cooking, sewing, laundry—all assigned to them, paid in grain, allowing them to earn their keep. The men, as before, were all drafted for training.

“They prefer teaching women to read? I don’t mind… but in this era, it’s difficult for women to be appointed as officials.”

“Why not?” Zhou Suyan, sweeping nearby, suddenly spoke up.

“When men are talking, don’t interrupt.” Wang Luo waved his hand, miming a slap across her face.

Her eyes reddened instantly. She turned away, refusing to look at them.

“In short, look forward.” After discussing a few more matters, Wang Luo summed up. “If these trivialities aren’t handled well, there’ll be consequences—but nothing major. Right now we’re short-staffed and pressed for time. Countless more important tasks await, so you must coordinate your time and energy wisely. Focus on the big picture, let the small stuff go.”

“Our next target is the ferry crossing.” Wang Luo pointed to its location on the map behind him. “Take it.”

Zhou Yingxiong nodded and left.

Afterward, Wang Luo glanced at Zhou Suyan’s turned back and began talking to himself.

“A woman’s advantage in work lies in patience and meticulousness. But in administration, most women share the same weakness—impulsive actions, emotional decision-making, easily deceived. Regardless of their objections, that’s the reality.”

She still had her back turned, but her mood seemed to have stabilized.

“Perhaps some women are especially talented and self-controlled, avoiding such mistakes. But I’m not qualified to take that risk. Certain tasks must be done right—no chance to learn by trial and error, no room for failure. That’s all there is to it.”